New Jersey § 45:1-25

§ 45:1-25.

a. Any person who engages in any conduct in violation of any provision of an act or

regulation administered by a board shall, in addition to any other sanctions provided

herein, be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for the first violation

and not more than $20,000 for the second and each subsequent violation. For the purpose of construing this section, each act in violation of any provision

of an act or regulation administered by a board shall constitute a separate violation

and shall be deemed a second or subsequent violation under the following circumstances: (1) an administrative or court order has been entered in a prior, separate and independent

proceeding; (2) the person is found within a single proceeding to have committed more than one

violation of any provision of an act or regulation administered by a board; or (3) the person is found within a single proceeding to have committed separate violations

of any provision of more than one act or regulation administered by a board. b. In lieu of an administrative proceeding or an action in the Superior Court, the

Attorney General may bring an action in the name of any board for the collection or

enforcement of civil penalties for the violation of any provision of an act or regulation

administered by such board. Such action may be brought in summary manner pursuant to the “Penalty Enforcement

Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c. 274 ( C.2A:58-10 et seq. ) and the rules of court governing actions for the collection of civil penalties in

the municipal court where the offense occurred. Process in such action may be by summons or warrant and in the event that the defendant

in such action fails to answer such action, the court shall, upon finding an unlawful

act or practice to have been committed by the defendant, issue a warrant for the defendant's

arrest in order to bring such person before the court to satisfy the civil penalties

imposed. In any action commenced pursuant to this section, the court may order restored to

any person in interest any moneys or property acquired by means of an unlawful act

or practice. c. Any action alleging the unlicensed practice of a profession or occupation shall

be brought pursuant to this section or, where injunctive relief is sought, by an action

commenced in the Superior Court. d. In any action brought pursuant to this act, a board or the court may order the

payment of costs for the use of the State, including, but not limited to, costs of

investigation, expert witness fees and costs, attorney fees and costs, and transcript

costs. e. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, an individual regulated by the

Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors; the Elevator, Escalator, and Moving

Walkway Mechanics Licensing Board; the Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm and Locksmith Advisory

Committee; the Licensed Master Hearth Specialist Advisory Committee; the State Board

of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors;

the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers; or other State entity created to

regulate a skilled trade occupation in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department

of Law and Public Safety who transfers a license provided to the individual by the

requisite board to another individual shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more

than $15,000 for the first violation and not more than $25,000 for the second and

each subsequent violation. For the purpose of construing this section, each violation of any provision of an

act or regulation administered by a board shall constitute a separate violation and

shall be deemed a second or subsequent violation under the circumstances listed in

paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection a. of this section.